Jineology

Jineology
(Kurdish:
Jineolojî‎), the
science of women,
or women's science,
(otherwise referred to as "Kurdish feminism"[1]) is a form of
feminism
and gender equality
advocated by Abdullah Öcalan,[2][3][4]
the leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party
(PKK) and the broader Kurdistan Communities Union
(KCK) umbrella. From the background of honor-based religious and tribal rules that oppress women in regional societies, Öcalan said that "a country can't be free unless the women are free", and that the level of women's freedom determines the level of freedom in society at large.[3]

The extent to which society can be thoroughly transformed is determined by the extent of the transformation attained by women. Similarly, the level of woman’s freedom and equality determines the freedom and equality of all sections of society. . . . For a democratic nation, woman’s freedom is of great importance too, as liberated woman constitutes liberated society. Liberated society in turn constitutes democratic nation. Moreover, the need to reverse the role of man is of revolutionary importance.[7]

The PKK's
Women’s Liberation Ideology
describes jineology as "a fundamental scientific term in order to fill the gaps that the current social sciences are incapable of doing. Jineology is built on the principle that without the freedom of women within society and without a real consciousness surrounding women no society can call itself free."[8]

Öcalan has said "a country can't be free unless the women are free", that the level of woman's freedom determines the level of freedom in society at large.[3]
To put into context the environment this comes from, violent oppression of women is prevalent in both traditional Kurdish culture and in the region in general. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) is the most extreme emanation of Namus-based subjugation of women.

The Jineology-based agenda of "trying to break the honor-based religious and tribal rules that confine women" is controversial and overcoming controversy in conservative quarters of society in northern Syria.[9]
The development of Jineology is one of five pillars in the Kurdish women's movement in Rojava with the
Kongreya Star
umbrella organization, focused "on protecting each other, resisting ISIL and building an egalitarian community in the middle of a warzone."[10]
Jineology is one of a range of courses offered at Kongreya Star's women's academy.[10]